CAMPAIGNERS have started a petition to safeguard a community hospital’s future.

Blaenau Ffestiniog’s Memorial Hospital will be subject to a review into its future in April by the Welsh Assembly’s health minister Edwina Hart – and Cllr Gwilym Euros Roberts is spearheading a campaign to save it.

Cllr Roberts started collecting names on an online petition this week, and will also be collecting signatures locally to ensure the wishes and voice of the community is heard prior to the review.

He said: “The former Gwynedd Local Health Board tried to close the hospital four years ago, however these plans were suspended due to strong local opposition.

“I feel it is both my duty and a priority for me that this hospital and its facilities are developed so it may serve this area for many years to come.

“Our hospital was built as a memorial for those killed in conflicts, with the hard earned money of our forefathers, and there is, therefore, a moral duty for us to stand firm against any proposals to close it or downgrade its status.”

Edwina Hart said a review would start when Ysbyty Alltwen in Tremadog had been open for a year.

Cllr Roberts said: “I don't have anything against Alltwen, I think it’s a wonderful facility, but we still need to keep a hospital in Blaenau Ffestiniog.

“We are quite an isolated community here. You only need to look at the recent weather to see that.

“We still have industry in the area, and if we are going to develop it as an adventure sport tourist destination we need to ensure that we have the required medical facilities.

“This is especially the case if the bike trails being planned by Antur Stiniog go ahead.

“Without doubt, the campaign to safeguard and develop our hospital will be one of my top priorities during 2010.

“For that reason, I have already organised a meeting with the Chief Executive of the Local Health Board, Mary Burrows, which will be held in the next few weeks.

“I hope to have a frank and open discussion at which I will make the wishes of the community abundantly clear to her.

“Hopefully they will then be given fair consideration when the review begins in April.”